ADHD Diagnoses The Process Isn't As Hard As You Think
ADHD Evaluations and Diagnoses
Making an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding and addressing symptoms. Find a licensed mental health professional or physician (psychiatrist or neurologist, or family physician) who specializes in ADHD diagnosis and evaluation.
The specialist will conduct an interview that is structured to look into your background. They may ask for old reports and talk to teachers, relatives or friends about your childhood habits.
Symptoms
Children and adults who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have trouble with paying close attention, listening attentively and following directions--things that come naturally to others. These symptoms can also cause problems with learning and relationships at school, work and home. Consult your GP when you or your child is showing these symptoms. They aren't able to officially diagnose ADHD however, they can discuss your concerns with you and recommend specialist services, if necessary.
A GP will be able to determine if you suffer from ADHD symptoms by asking questions, looking over medical documents and your health history, and conducting a physical exam. You may also mention the history of your family's ADHD to aid in determining the cause. The GP will then recommend you to a psychiatrist or psychologist to conduct a psychiatric examination. The evaluation could comprise an explanation and scales of your symptoms that are completed by you and your family members, as well as a physical exam, lab tests and a psychiatric exam.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD in children and adolescents with the help of established guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. They look for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that last for a period of six months or more, and evaluate whether these symptoms impact your daily life at home at work, at home, and in school.
Adults can be diagnosed with ADHD in the same manner but their symptoms are more likely to manifest differently as they grow older. They can have a predominantly inattentive presentation of the disorder, a predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation or a combination of both.
If your adult symptoms are in line with the requirements for diagnosis, you can be treated with medication. Adults suffering from ADHD are usually prescribed psychostimulants that alter neurotransmitters. These drugs boost energy and alertness, while also improving focus and concentration. These medications can be administered in an extended-release version to lessen the effects of the effects of side effects. Antidepressants are often used to treat the inattentive symptoms of ADHD in adults. These drugs, like Wellbutrin and Effexor can affect neurotransmitters and improve mood and concentration.
Diagnosis
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD is the first step to managing the symptoms that could be affecting your life professionally and personally. A licensed mental health professional (psychiatrists, neurologist or family physicians) can conduct a psychiatric evaluation. To receive treatment for ADHD, a person with a symptom based diagnosis (such as ADHD) must meet certain guidelines set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition of the American Psychiatric Association.
During the ADHD assessment, you will be asked questions about your child's behavior at home, in school as well as in social situations. Your child's medical history, development and family history will be reviewed. Then, they will compare your child's behavior against those of children who are their age. They can use standard ratings scales to measure the frequency of certain behavioral problems, like inability to pay attention, ignoring things, or interrupting other people.
There are three presentations of ADHD - predominately inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive and combined. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must meet six of the nine symptoms that fall under either the inattentive or the hyperactive-impulsive categories. They must be present in at least two settings, cause your child to perform poorly, and last for six months.
If your child does not meet all the criteria to qualify for a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD Your healthcare provider will assign them unspecified ADHD. They might also decide that your child does not have a hyperactive-impulsive presentation of the condition and not give them an official ADHD diagnosis.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation could include neuropsychological and psycho-psychological tests, as well as cognitive tests that are computer-based. Your healthcare provider will also examine your child's blood pressure, and perform an examination to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic ADHD symptoms such as thyroid disorders or head injuries (Austerman 2015). They might also request a detailed history of the issue from teachers and caregivers and conduct a thorough interview with your child and other family members. They will also consider whether there is an ancestry of ADHD in the family, as it is highly genetically inherited.
Treatment
If a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may need medication and/or therapy for behavioral issues. Behavioral therapy can include family and individual counseling, as well as group therapy such as dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. The first step to receive treatment is to find an expert in the field of diagnosing ADHD who is covered by your insurance. You can start by contacting your insurance company or a local support group such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or CHADD to find a professional who specialize in ADHD in your area. Some doctors use computer programs, such as continuous performance tests, to check for problems with attention and impulsivity. Other doctors utilize brain scans like single photon emission computed Tomography (SPECT) to look for abnormalities. Experts agree that the interview with the patient is the most important component of an evaluation.
During an interview, the clinician will go over the symptoms that led to the appointment. The clinician may also seek out anyone who is familiar with the patient, such as their spouse, parent or sibling, for details. The clinician will also interview teachers as well as coaches, nannies, and other adults who spend significant time with the patient. This is a lengthy process that can take up to an hour. The clinician will complete the report, and then discuss the findings with the patient.
It is extremely important to remember that the diagnosis of ADHD is determined by how the symptoms impact a person's life. The symptoms must be causing significant impairment in two major settings such as at work and at home. To be eligible for ADHD to be diagnosed the condition must have been present at minimum six months.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss with the patient their medical and psychiatric histories and determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition Text Revision DSM-5. A valid diagnosis of ADHD is based on at least three of the five symptom categories: trouble paying attention to small details and making erroneous mistakes, difficulty remaining focused on tasks or activities and difficulty listening when being talked to or daydreaming, or appearing to be distracted.
Prevention
People with inattentional ADHD are typically not diagnosed. adhd diagnostic as those with hyperactive or impulsive forms of ADHD, and they are often overlooked. But their problems do have consequences: they could underperform at school, clash with classmates or find it difficult to keep a job. These individuals also need to be treated.
The term ADD is still used occasionally however, the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines the condition as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The newer definition is based on the fact that children may be affected by inattention symptoms on their own.
While many of the symptoms are common to all instances, there are differences in how the disorder manifests itself between girls and boys. Girls and children assigned female at birth (AFAB) tend to show more inattentive symptoms, which are less noticeable, than the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. This makes them more likely to go undiagnosed, and less likely to seek treatment.
An accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination by a medical professional. This may include the clinical interview, medical history review and a physical examination. It includes analyzing reports from parents, teachers or other adults with an understanding of the individual as well as normative rating scales that are completed by loved ones as well as teachers. These are useful in determining whether the symptoms are severe enough to impact functioning.
It is essential to conduct a thorough examination to determine if the symptoms are related to another psychiatric or medical issue like anxiety or depression. In some instances, treating these other disorders will alleviate or eliminate ADHD symptoms.
Those diagnosed with the disorder need to be aware of possible adverse effects and treatments. They should also remain in contact with their physician or nurse to ensure that the medications are functioning as they should.
Stimulant drugs are the most commonly used treatment of inattentive ADHD. They can improve concentration and reduce impulsive behavior. Other treatments, including cognitive behavior therapy and parent training can be extremely efficient for both adults and children who suffer from this condition, too. It is crucial to remind those who are prescribed ADHD medication to see their doctors regularly, as some patients may require adjustments to dosages or other treatment options.